Bennie Rutkoski, 97, of 11 Pratt Street, Sheffield, PA, passed away on Monday, January 21, 2013 at the Rouse Home, Youngsville, PA.

Bennie was born November 5, 1915, in Bradenville, PA and lived in Lyndora, PA, the son of the late Anthony and Mary Kowetski Rutkoski. Bennie worked as a caddy at the Butler Country Club and then worked for AK Steel, formerly the Armco Steel from 1935 to 1977, serving as a crane operator, open hearth furnace, and machine shop worker from which he retired after 42 years of service.  He was a member of St. Anthony Roman Catholic Church, where he and his wife, Viola, were active in the St. Paul Center K of C Fish Fry. He was a member of the Sheffield Rod and Gun Club, the Sheffield Senior Center, the Butler Moose Lodge, and he's been a member of Knights of Columbus for 48 years. Bennie was an avid hunter, fisherman and coin collector.  He also enjoyed making his own wine, playing cards, golfing, and spending time with his family and friends.

He is survived by six step-children, Carol Wilcox, and husband, Craig, Russell, PA, who acted as caregivers to Bennie for the past several years, Kay Goodrich,  and husband, Bill, Corning, NY, Linda Willis, and husband, James, Newport, NC, Bruce Fox, Scandia, Lisa Brooks and Lori Hogan, both of Corning, NY; four nephews, Jim, Joseph, John and Victor, two nieces, Marion and Ann; eight grandchildren, Rosemarie, Kelsi, Meggi, Mandy, Jamie, Raymee, Dakota and Dylan; and several great nieces and great nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Viola Stanton Fox Rutkoski on Sept. 4, 2009; whom he married on September 27, 1997. He's also preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Lyninski; his second wife, Ann Petruney; two daughters, Viola Klann and Judy Fox Baumgrotz; five brothers, Felix, Joseph, John, Frank and Stanley Rutkoski; one sister, Jenny Ozechowski; and son-in-law, Mark Hogan.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 26 at 1:00 p.m., with Rev. Fr. John Neff, Celebrant, St. Anthony Roman Catholic Church, officiating.  Private burial will be at the Calvary Cemetery, Butler, PA. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Anthony Roman Catholic Church, Sheffield, PA 16347 or Friends of the Rouse, 701 Rouse Avenue, Youngsville, PA 16371.